Northern Kentucky University
BIOTA: Promoting Undergraduate Involvement In P-12 Science Education
Institution
Northern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Thomas Sproat
Abstract
Involving undergraduate science students in university outreach programs exposes them to potential careers in teaching and provides inquiry-based learning opportunities for Kentucky schoolchildren. The Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Kentucky University has created the Biology Integration and Outreach for Science Education (BIOSE) program to promote life science education in northern Kentucky's P-12 classrooms. To support BOISE's mission, Biology Integration and Outreach for Teacher Advancement (BIOTA) is a student group that helps present outreach programs for area schools. BIOTA is designed to: 1) involve NKU students in science outreach activities, 2) promote biology content instruction, 3) provide NKU students with opportunities to explore teaching careers, and 4) encourage community involvement for undergraduate educators BIOTA has participated in area educational programs such as "CAT's Meow", which prepares elementary students for state CATS testing, and "Elementary Science Day", which brings fourth grade students to NKU's campus to see different facets of science studies. BIOTA is also creating its own inquiry-based outreach programs that will present life science topics from Kentucky's Core Content for Science Assessment. These programs will not only provide valuable experience for undergraduate students at Northern Kentucky University, but will also provide area schools with supplemental instruction, technology, and activities promoting biological sciences. This poster describes the BIOTA program, discusses future goals of this undergraduate outreach program, and reviews benefits it presents to education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
BIOTA: Promoting Undergraduate Involvement In P-12 Science Education
Involving undergraduate science students in university outreach programs exposes them to potential careers in teaching and provides inquiry-based learning opportunities for Kentucky schoolchildren. The Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Kentucky University has created the Biology Integration and Outreach for Science Education (BIOSE) program to promote life science education in northern Kentucky's P-12 classrooms. To support BOISE's mission, Biology Integration and Outreach for Teacher Advancement (BIOTA) is a student group that helps present outreach programs for area schools. BIOTA is designed to: 1) involve NKU students in science outreach activities, 2) promote biology content instruction, 3) provide NKU students with opportunities to explore teaching careers, and 4) encourage community involvement for undergraduate educators BIOTA has participated in area educational programs such as "CAT's Meow", which prepares elementary students for state CATS testing, and "Elementary Science Day", which brings fourth grade students to NKU's campus to see different facets of science studies. BIOTA is also creating its own inquiry-based outreach programs that will present life science topics from Kentucky's Core Content for Science Assessment. These programs will not only provide valuable experience for undergraduate students at Northern Kentucky University, but will also provide area schools with supplemental instruction, technology, and activities promoting biological sciences. This poster describes the BIOTA program, discusses future goals of this undergraduate outreach program, and reviews benefits it presents to education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.